Can ear acupuncture help veterans with PTSD? new study tests it.

NCT ID NCT07021352

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether ear acupuncture, combined with mindfulness therapy, can reduce emotional distress in active-duty service members and veterans with PTSD. Sixty-six participants will receive either mindfulness therapy alone or mindfulness plus a one-time ear acupuncture treatment using tiny needles that stay in place for up to a week. The goal is to see if adding acupuncture improves distress, sleep, alcohol use, and pain.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

ear acupuncture

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a simple, low-cost add-on treatment to help military personnel with PTSD feel less emotional distress.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-stage study with no placebo control. The acupuncture needles stay in for days, which may cause discomfort or infection risk.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

post-traumatic stress disorder substance-related disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • David Grant USAF Medical Center

    RECRUITING

    Fairfield, California, 94533, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Naval Medical Center San Diego

    RECRUITING

    San Diego, California, 92134, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••